Fuel and lubricants distributor Brad Hall & Associates of Idaho Falls, Idaho,
has acquired Fort Worth, Texas-based Classic Star Group LP and Ziptron Energy
Inc. for undisclosed terms, adding holdings in the Southeastern U.S., according
to Corner Capital Partners, which advised the sellers.

Classic and Ziptron distribute branded and unbranded fuels and branded
lubricants in seven states with more than 600 customers, according to a
corporate website. An announcement of the deal said the companies market
products to independent dealers, as well as lubricants and fuels to commercial
end-users, representing about 300 million gal a year. Brad Hall's website says
it has customers in various industries across the United States, from small,
family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

"We have identified Texas and the surrounding markets as a great opportunity
for our company. The Classic Star & Ziptron businesses presented a compelling
and complementary addition to the Brad Hall family and way of doing business,"
Logan Hall, president of Brad Hall & Associates, said in the announcement.
"Our companies serve our customers in a similar manner."

Classic Star itself has been a growth-oriented marketer. In December, the
company acquired the convenience retail, Chevron, Texaco and Shell-branded fuel
distribution and commercial business and property assets of Texas marketer H&M
Wholesale Inc., a fuel distributor since 1960 and convenience retailer since
1980, OPIS reported. The deal included three branded retail stores, several
branded dealer supply contracts, transportation assets and commercial business.

The Classic Star family "intends to continue to expand its real estate and
retail portfolio and opportunistically invest in new business ventures,"
according to the recent Brad Hall announcement.

--Reporting by Donna Harris, dharris@opisnet.com; Editing by Barbara Chuck,
bchuck@opisnet.com




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